Friction-clutch mechanism.



B. C. BALL & L. E. YOUNIE.

FRICTION CLUTCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 21. I914.

Patented Feb. 22,1916.

THE COLUMBIA PL/uyoannpu c0 WASHINGTON, D. c.

FTC.

BERT G. BALL AND LEWIS E. YOUNIE, 0F PORTLAND, OREGON.

FRICTION-CLUTCH MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 22, 1916.

Application filed October 21, 1914. Serial No. 867.776.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, BERT C. BALL and LEWIS E. YOUNIE, citizens of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of hhiltnomah and State of Oregon, have invented new and useful Improvements in Friction-Clutch Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to friction clutch mechanisms and consists in certain improvements in the construction thereof, as will be hereinafter fully described and pointed out in the claims.

More particularly the invention relates to thrust devices for friction clutches, particularly such friction clutches as are used in connection with the drums of logging or hoisting engines, such clutch actuating mechanisms being ordinarily termed friction devices. 7

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing as follows z Figure 1 shows a central section through the drum and attached friction device. Fig. 2 a similar section through the friction device, the view being somewhat enlarged. Fig. 3 a section on the line 3-3 in Figs. 1 and 2. y

1 marks the drum shaft, 2 the drum, 3 the gear wheel fixed on the shaft for driving the drum, 4 the friction cone, 5 the friction surface operating with the drum, 6 the spring for backing off the friction surface when the friction device is released, 7 one of the bearing surfaces on the drum shaft, 8 the opposite bearing surface, 9 the key-slot through the shaft,

10 the thrust key arranged in the slot,

9, against the drum, 11 the thrust pinarranged in an axial perforation in the shaft ordinarily extending through that portion of the shaft within the bearing surface 8. These parts are of usual construction.

The shaft 1 has a screw thread 13 at one end. A bushing 14 is screwed on the screw thread 13 and against the shoulder formed at the inner end of the screw thread 13. The bushing 14: is set upon the screw thread 13 so as to practically be come a permanent part of the shaft. The friction device head 15 is screwed on to the bushing 14 and. locked in adjustment thereon by a jam nut, 15*. The head has an enlarged opening 16 at its inner end with the axis coincident with the axis of to set the clutch.

the shaft 1. The thrust block shown in the form of a disk 17 is arranged in this opening and against the thrust pin 12. The head also has the transverse bores or cylindical openings 18 in which are the rocking thrust pins 19. The thrust pins 19 have a portion 20 cut away so that when they are rocked so as to bring the cut-away portion next the block 17, the block may move outwardly so as to release the clutch. The pins have the rolling thrust surfaces 21, which when the pins 19 are rocked, move outwardly on the block 17, bringing the larger cross dimension or portion of the pin having its full dimension between the bearing surface formed by the cylindrical opening 18 and the block 17. When in this position, with the parts properly adjusted, the clutch will be firmly set. The pins 19 have the pintles 22 at their ends and these are arranged in sockets 22 in plugs 28-23. These plugs form a closure for the ends of the cylindrical openings 18 and are secured therein by the screws 24:.

The pins 19 have the gear segments 25 opposite the cut-away portions 20. These gear segments mesh an interposed rack 26, the rack having preferably cylindrical side surfaces 26 and being guided in the cylindrical opening 15 in the head, this opening being concentric with the opening 16 but somewhat smaller. It will be readily observed that as the rack 26 is moved inwardly or outwardly, the pins 19 are rocked so as to bring the cut-away portion 20 next to the block 17, in which position the clutch is released or to interpose the larger dimension of the pin so as It will be observed that with the block 17 in its outward or rearward position that with the initial rocking movement of the pins 19, the forward movement of the block and consequently of the thrust pins and drum will be practically co-extensive with the forward movement of the rack 26, but that as the pin 19 continues its movement, the forward movement of the block 17 is slower relatively to that of the rack 26 as it approaches its set position. It will be observed that if the movement of the pins is continued until the full cylindical surfaces were interposed between the block and the bearing surface of the wall of the cylindrical opening 18, the forward movement of the block will cease entirely. By this arrangement a rapid movement is initially given to the thrust devices so as to take up the slack, but in the final setting movement the thrust delivered to the block 17 and thrust pins is very much greater than the thrust of the rack 26. In this way a very rapid movement may be accomplished so as to give plenty of slack or freedom to the clutch and at the same time very powerful thrust is delivered in the final set position.

l ve prefer the following mechanism for operating the rack 26: A fixed screw member 27 has the active screw member 28 extending through it. A handle or lever 29 is fixed on the end of the screw, by which the active screw member may be manually operated so as to exert its thrust against the rack 26 or to release the same. Hardened washers 30 are preferably provided between the active screw member 28 and the rack 26. In order that the rack 26 may be retracted with the active screw member, a pin 31 is extended through the active screw member and secured to the rack 26. n nut 32 is arranged outside of the active screw member so as to form a shoulder against which the screw member acts. The nut 32 is locked in adjustment by the jam nut 33. The fixed screw member has an external shoulder 3 opposing an internal shoulder 35 in the head 15.

vA washer 36 is interposed between these shoulders. The fixed screw member 27 is locked against turning by means of a lever 37, which is secured to the outer end of the fixed screw member 27 and any convenient stationarypart, ordinarily a part of the frame of the engine. These parts, that is, the opposing shoulders between the head and the screw member and the screw members. themselves, may be reversed. Preferably, however, they are arranged as shown and the thrust of the fixed screw member is preferably carried from the shaft 1 so as to relieve the bearings of this shaft from end thrust. structure as shown all the parts subjected to thrust are carried by the shaft and there is no tendency to end thrust whatever on said bearings.

In the operation of the device, assuming the parts to be in released position, the op erator seizes the handle 29 turning up the screw member, 28. This forces the rack 26 inwardly and rocks the pins 19, thus moving the thrust block 17 against the thrust pins. The thrust pins and intermediate parts communicate the movement to the cone surface so as to set the clutch. In the initial part of this movement, the thrust block 17 is moved substantially at the same rate as the rack 26, but as the movement progresses the surfaces interposed between the thrust block and the wall of It will be noted in the the cylindrical opening 18 vary and approach more nearly a true cylindrical surface so that while the initial movement is rapid in taking up the slack the final movement is much slower than the rack 26, with consequent increase in power. The final position brings the full cylindrical portion of the pin into the line of thrust, so the thrust has no tendency to turn the pins. The pressure on the rack from the screw member may, therefore, be relieved without releasing the clutch. This is important in that when this is done wear and friction from relatively rotating parts is obviated, except during the setting operation. To release the clutch all that is necessary is to reverse the screw. This ret acts the rack and rocks the pins, bringing the cut-away portion 20 or smaller cross dimension of the pins between the bearing surface of the opening 18 and the thrust block. The thrust block can then move outwardly, the spring 6 moving the friction surfaces out of contact.

It will be observed that the structure as described is one that may be easily manufactured. The whole head may be machined from the rear end, having the opening for the interior thread, the opening 16 and the opening 15 forming a guide for the rack and asocket for the head 34. The opening may be continued in a smaller size for the fixed screw member. The bearings and mountings for the pins 19 are made by boring the head transversely.

It will be observed that by loosening the jam nut 15 ,,the head 15 may be screwed inwardly or outwardly on the bushing 14, thus changing the relative position of the head and the shaft 1. In this way the distance between the thrust block 17 and the bearing surfaces on the opening 18 may be adjusted so that when the pins 19 have their largest dimension interposed between the thrust block and the bearing, the thrust on the clutch will be sufficient to set it under its normalcondition of load. In this way all wear of parts may be readily taken .up and the parts readily adjusted for service. While we prefer to adjust the distance between the block and the head by an adjustment of the head in the broader phases of the invention, we do not wish to be limited to this construction.

lVhat We claim as new is 1. In a friction clutch mechanism, the

combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; a head having a thrust surface opposed to the block; a pin rocking on a transverse axis and interposed between the block and the thrust surface, said pin having varying cross dimensions, the block assuming a position to set the clutch with a larger cross dimenslon of the pin interposed between the block and the surface; and means operating on the pin to force the block through the rocking of the pin to set position.

2. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; a head having a thrust surface opposed to the block; a pin rocking on a transverse aXis and interposed between the block and the thrust surface, said pin having varying cross dimensions, the block assuming a position to set the clutch with a larger cross dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the surface and in position to release the clutch with a smaller dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the surface; and means operating on the pin to force the block through'the rocking of the pin to set position, said pin varying in dimension to force the block a greater distance with a given movement of the means in the early stages of the setting action than in the later stages of the setting action.

3. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a friction clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block a connection between the block andthe clutch; ahead having a thrust bearing opposed to the block; a rocking thrust pin in said bearing and between the block and the bearing, said pin having varying cross dimensions, the block assuming a position to set the clutch with a larger cross dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the bearing and in position to release the clutch with a smaller dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the bearing; and means operating 011 the pin to force the block through the rocking of the pin to set position.

I. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a friction clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; a connection between the block and the clutch; a head having a thrust bearing opposed to the block; a rocking thrust pin in said bearing and between the block and the bearing, said pin having varying cross dimensions, the block assuming a position to set the clutch with a larger cross dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the bearing and in position to release the clutch with a smaller dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the bearing; and means operating on the pin to force the block through the rocking of the pin to set position and operating on the pin to release the clutch.

5. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a friction clutch on the sha t; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; a connection between the block and the clutch; a head having a thrust bearing opposed to the block; a rocking thrust pin in said bearing and between the block and the bearing, said )in havin var in cross dimensions the y b t) 7 a smaller dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the bearing; and means operating 011 the pin to force the block through the rocking of the pin to set position, said pin varying in dimension to force the block a greater distance with a given movement of the means in the early stages of its setting action than in the later stages of the setting action.

6. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; a head having a transverse cylindrical bore; a cylindrical pin having one side cut away to vary the cross dimension of the pin, said pin being arranged in said cross bore and being opposed to said block; and means for throwing the cut-away portion into and out of register with the block.

7. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; a head ha-vinga transverse cylindrical bore; a cylindrical pin. having one side cut away to vary the cross dimension of the pin, said pin being arranged'in said cross bore and being opposed to said block; and means for throwing the cut-away portion into and out of register with the block to release and early stages of the rocking movement than 1 in the later stages.

8. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; a head having a thrust surface opposed to the block; a pin rocking on a transverse axis and interposed between the block and the thrust surface on the head, said pin having varying cross dimensions which are adapted to be thrown into and out of position and interposed between the surface on the head and the block to set and release the clutch; a gear segment on the pin; and a rack operating on the gear segment to rock the pin.

9. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; a connection between the block and the clutch; a head having a transverse cylindrical bore; a cylindrical pin having one side cut away forming varying cross dimensions arranged in the cylindrical bore, said pin being provided with a gear segment; and a rack operating on the gear segment and throwing said cut-away portions into and out of register with the block to release and set the clutch.

10. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; a head having thrust surfaces opposed to the block; rocking pins, one each side of the axis, said pins rocking on axes transverse to the axis of the head, said pins being interposed between the block and the thrust surfaces and having varying cross dimensions; and means operating on opposing sides of the pins for rocking the pins to actuate the clutch.

11. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; a head having thrust surfaces opposed to the block; and pins one each side of the axis rocking on a transverse axis and interposed between the block and the thrust surfaces, said pins having varying cross dimensions and gear segments; and a thrust bar having racks engaging said gear segments to rock the pins to release and set the clutch.

12. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a friction clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; a head mounted on the shaft and having a thrust surface opposed to the block; a pin rocking on a transverse axis and interposed between the block and the thrust surface, said pin having varying cross dimensions, the block assuming a position to set the clutch with a larger cross dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the surface and in position to release the clutch with a smaller dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the surface; and means operating on the pin to force the block through the rocking of the pin to set position, said means being carried by the shaft and having its thrust sustained directly by said shaft.

13. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; a head having a thrust surface opposed to the block; a pin rocking on a transverse axis and interposed between the block and the thrust surface having varying cross dimensions, the block assuming t position to set the clutch with a large or \ss dimension of the pin interposed betweei the block and the surface and a POSitiOl to release the clutch with a smaller dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the surface; a thrust device operating on the pin to rock the same to set and release the clutch; a fixed screw member locked against rotation; and an active screw member acting on the fixed screw member for operating said device. V

14. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a. thrust block; a head having a thrust surface opposed to the block; a pin rocking on a transverse axis and interposed between the block and the thrust surface having varying cross dimensions, the block assuming a position to set the clutch with a large cross dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the surface and a position to release the clutch with a smaller dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the surface; a thrust device operating on the pin to rock the same to set and release the clutch; a fixed screw member carried by the head and locked against rotation; and an active screw member acting on the fixed screw member for operating said device.

15. In a friction clutch mechanism, the

16. In a friction clutch mechanism, the

combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device comprising a head having an axial bore, the inner part of the bore being of larger dimension than the outer part; a fixed screw member having a head in the larger bore and extending through the smaller bore; an active screw member in the fixed screw member; a rack actuated by the active screw member having a cylindrical guiding surface on the edge operating in connection with the larger axial bore; transverse bores at each side of the axis of the head; rocking pins arranged in said transverse bores, said pins having varying cross dimensions having gear segments thereon adapted to be operated by said rack; and means actuated by the pins for actuating the clutch.

17 In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; a head having a thrust surface opposed to the block; a pin rocking on a transverse axis and interposed betweenrthe block and the thrust surface, said pin having varying cross dimensions, the block assuming a position to set the clutch with a larger cross dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the surface and in position to release the clutch with a smaller dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the surface; means operating on the pin to force the block through the rocking of the pin to set position; and means for adjusting the relaiive distance between the block and the surace.

18. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; ahead having a thrust surface opposed to the block; a pin rocking-on a transverse axis and interposed between the block and the thrust surface, said pin having varying cross dimensions, the block assuming a position to set the clutch with a larger cross dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the surface and in position torrelease the clutch with a smaller dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the surface; means operating on the pin to force the block through the rocking of the pin to set position; and means for adjusting the head relatively to the shaft for adjusting the relative distance between the surface and the block.

19. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; a head having a thrust surface opposed to the block; a pin rocking on a transverse axis and interposed between the block and the thrust surface; said pin having varying cross dimensions, the block assuming a position to set the clutch with a larger cross dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the surface said pin having varying cross dimensions, the block assuming a position to set the clutch with a larger cross dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the surface and in position to release the clutch with a smaller dimension of the pin interposed between the block and the surface; means operating on the pin to force the block throughthe rocking of the pin to set position; and a screw threaded connection between the shaft and the head for adj usting the distance between the surface and the block.

20. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; ahead having a longitudinal cylindrical bore and a transverse cylindrical bore; a cylindrical pin having one side cut away to vary the cross dimension of the pin, said pin being arranged in said cross bore and being opposed to the block; and means mounted in the longitudinal cylindrical bore for throwing the cut-away portion into and out of register with the block.

21. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; a head having a longitudinal cylindrical bore and two transverse bores, one at each side of the axis of the longitudinal bore; cylindrical pins each having one side cut away to vary the cross dimension of the pins, said pins arranged in said cross bores and adapted to lock the block in set position when the largest dimension is brought into engagement with the block; and means mounted in the longitudinal bore for throwing the cutaway portions into and out of register with the block.

22. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; a head having a transverse bore and a longitudinal bore; means mounted in the transverse bore for locking the block in set position; and means mounted in the longitudinal bore for actuating the clutch.

23. In a friction clutch mechanism, the combination of a shaft; a clutch on the shaft; and a friction device for actuating the clutch comprising a thrust block; a head having a longitudinal cylindrical bore, said longitudinal bore being of Varying diameter with a smaller diameter at its outer end than at an intermediate portion, said head also being provided with a transverse bore; a pin arranged in the transverse bore and adapted to lock the block in set position; a thrust nut arranged in the longitudinal bore and operating against the shoulder formed by the difference in diameter of the longitudinal bore; a screw in the nut; and means actuated by the screw for actuating the block and clutch.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BERT G. BALL. LEWIS E. YOUN IE. Witnesses:

HOMER V. CARPENTER, J. F. BRUENING.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

